Pipe or rod connector.



A. F. MILLER.

PIPE on. non ooNNEcToR.

A. P. MILLER. PIPE 0R ROD CONNECTOR.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 24, 1909.

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ALBERT F. MILLER, 0F KANSAS CITY, KANSAS.`

PIPE OR ROD CONNECTOR.

Specication of Letters Patent. A Patented June 21, 1910.

Application led .Tune 24, 1909. Serial No. 504,131.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, ALBERT F. MILLER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Kansas City, in the county of Wyandotte and State of Kansas,have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Pipe or RodConnectors, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in.

pipe or rod connectors.

The object of my invention is to provide a pipe or rod connector forfirmly connecting two pipes or rods, which will present a smooth andfinished appearance and which will permit of the rods or pipes beingadjusted to different angles relative to each other.

My invention is particularly adapted for use in constructing pipe or rodframe work, such as is employed in fire-escapes or railings forstairways.

The novel features of my invention are hereinafter fully described andclaimed.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate my invention Figure 1 isan elevation of a form of my invention designed to connect two rods orpipes. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the dotted line a-bof Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the dotted linec-d of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the disklike connector member,shown in Figs. 1, 2 Fig. 5 is an elevation of a form of my inventionadapted to connect three pipes or tubes, two of which are disposed in ahorizontal plane and the other of which is disposed in a vertical plane.Fig. G is a vertical sectional View, taken on the dotted line e-f ofFig. 5. Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the dotted lineg-i of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is an elevation of a form of my invention which isdesigned to connect three pipes or tubes, all located in the samehorizontal plane. Fig. 9 is avertical sectional view, taken on thedotted line -j of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken onthe dotted line s-Z of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is an elevation of a form of myinvention designed to connect four pipes or tubes, three of which arelocated in a horizontal plane and one of which is located in a verticalplane. Fig. 12 is a vertical section taken on the dotted line mf-n ofFig. 11. Fig. 13 is a vertical section taken on the dotted line o-p ofFig. 12. Fig. 14 is a form of my invention designed to connect fourpipes or tubes, of, which all are located in a horizontal plane, theconnector being shown in elevation. Fig. 15 is a vertical sectional viewtaken on the dotted line g-fr of Fig. 1d. Fig. 1G is a verticalsectional view, taken on the dotted line s-t ot' Fig. 15. Fig. 17 is aplan view of one of the disk-like members shown in Figs. 111,15 and 1G.Fig. 18 is an elevation of a form of my invention designed to connect vepipes or rods, four of which are located in the same horizontal planeand one of which is located in a vertical plane. Fig.. 19 is a verticalsectional view taken on the dotted line u-u of Fig. 18. Fig. 20 is avertical sectional view taken on the dotted line fw-x of Fig. 19. Fig.21 is a plan view of the form of my invention shown in Figs. 18, 1S) and20.

Referring to Figs. 1 to et, 1 denotes the horizontal disk-like portionof one of the connector members, said disk-like portion having its upperand lower Hat sides resting against the plane sides respectively of twohemispherieal portions of the other connector member, said hemispheriealportions being denoted respectively by 2 and 3. Each member is providedw-ith a peripheral boss 4, provided With a radial threaded hole 5,adapted to receive a pipe or rod, not shown. Each boss 1 is fitted tothe curved periphery of the opposite member. A ver tical bolt 6 extendscentrally through the hemispherical portion 2 and the disk-like portionl and has its threaded lower end fitted in a vertical, screw-threadedhole, which is provided centrally in the upper side of the hemispheriealportion 3. The vbolt 6 pivotally connects the two members on a verticalaXis.

The form of my invention shown in Figs.

5, 6 and 7 corresponds in construction to the form shown in the firstfour figures, with the exception that in the form shown in Figs. 5 to 7,the hemispherical portion 3 is provided on its lower side with avertical boss 7, which is disposed centrally in alinement with the bolt(3, and is provided with a vertical screw threaded hole 5, adapted toreceive the upper end of a vertical tube or pipe, not shown.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, three membersare pivotally connected. Two of the members 8 and 9 are similarlyconstructed, each having a substantially hemi-spherical portion, similarto the portions 2 and 3 of the form shown in Fig. 2, and each providedwith a peripheral boss 10 fitted to the peripheries of the other twomembers and having a screw threaded hole 5. The other member 11corresponds in its general form to the disk member 1 of the form shownin Figs. 1 to 4. The disk member 11 is horizontally disposed land hasits upper and lower sides resting respectively against the lane sides ofthe hemispherical portions o the members 8 and 9. A vertical bolt 6extends centrally through the disk member 11 and the hemi-sphericalportion of the member 8, the lower screw threaded end of the bolt 6being fitted in a screw threaded hole provided in the upper plane sideof the member 9. The member 11 is provided with a horizontal peripheralboss 4 fitted to the peripheries of the members 8 and 9 and having ascrew threaded hole 5.

In the form of my inventionshown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13, two memberscorresponding to the members 8 and 11, shown in Figs. 8 to 10 areemployed and are similarly designated. The third member 12 correspondsto the member 9 with the exception that its curved lower side isprovided with a vertical boss 7 havingascrew threaded hole 5 andcorresponding to the boss 7 shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. With theexception of the boss 7, the form shown in Figs. 11 to 13 corresponds inconstruction to the construction shown in Figs. 8 to 10. The member 11is provided with a boss 4 dis. posed horizontally and fitted to theperipheries of the members 8 and 12, and the members 8 and 12 are eachprovided with a boss A10 disposed horizontally in the same plane as theboss 4 and each fitted to the peripheries of the other two members. Avertical bolt 6 extends centrally through the members 8 and 11 and hasits screw threaded lower end fitted in a threaded hole in the upper sideand central portion of the member 12. y

-In the form shown in Figs. 14 to 17 two members 8 and 9 similar inconstruction to the members similarly designated in- Figs. 8 to 10 aresimilarly related to each other, are similarly provided with horizontalperipheral bosses 10, and are pivotally connected in a similar manner bya vertical bolt 6. Two members 13 'and 14 each of disk like form,corresponding in general construction, location and function to themember 11 shown in Figs. 8 to 10 and 11 to 13, are disposedhorizontally, one resting flatwise upon the other. The disk likeportions of the members 13 and 14 rest respectively against the planesides of the members 8 and 9, and are provided respectively with thehorizontal diametrically opposite bosses 4, each tted to the peripheriesof the` stituted. The form shown'in Figs. 18vto 21 corres onds to theone shown in'Figs. 14 to 17 wit the exception of the boss which 1sdisposed vertically on the lower side of the member '12, this being thefeature which distinguishes member 12 from member 9.

As shown in Figs.42, 3, 6 and 7 the plane sides of the portions 2 and 3may be hollowF` and provided with vertical diametrically oppositecentral cylindrical studs 15, adjacent ends of which respectively abutagainst 0pposite sidesof the disk portion l. By this construction thedevice may be made light, and material saved in its construction. Inlike manner the plane sides of the members 8, 9 and l2 may be hollowed,and similarly provided each with a vertical diametrically disposed stud15 of cylindrical shape. In the forms shown in Figs. 8 to 13 oppositefiat sides of the member 11 may be provided with annular central flanges16 fitted respectively to opposing studs 15 which are concentric withthe bolts 6. By this construction much of the strain may be removed fromthe bolts 6 and the devices thus made stronger. The upper side of eachmember 13, and they lower side of each member 14, shown in Figs. 15, 16,19 and 20, may be provided each with an annular central flange 16 fittedto the adjacent stud 15.

From the above description it will be understood that the diierent pipeconnecting members of each of the forms shown may be swung relative toeach other in the same plane to different angles to accommodate thedevices to different forms of frame work.

The devices of the different forms of my invention are each in the formof a sphere with radial peripheral bosses. By reason of this shape andby reason of some of the bosses of the members being fitted to theperiphcries of adjacent members great strength of construction isafforded.

Various modifications lof my invention, within the scope of the appendedclaims, may be made without departing from its spirit.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is

1. In a pipe or rod connector, the com- @einer bination with twomembers, one having a substantially hemispherical portion, the otherhaving a disk like portion one flat side of which rests against theplane side of the opposite member, each member having a peripheral bosshaving a radial hole adapted to receive a pipe or rod and fitted to thecurved periphery of the opposite member, of means for pivotallyconnecting the two members on an axis extending centrally through thedisk like and hemispherical portions. l

` 2. In a pipe or rod connector, the combination with two members eachhaving a substantially hemispherical portion, of a third member having adisk like portion the fiat sides of which respectively rest against theplane sides of the first two members, each member having a peripheralboss having a radial hole adapted to receive a pipe or. rod and fittedto the curved peripheries of the other two members, and means forpivotally connecting the three members on an axis which extendscentrally through the disk like and hemispherical portions.

3. In va pipe or rod connector, the combination with two members, onehaving a substantially hemispherical portion, the other having adislg-like portion, one flat side of which rests against the plane sideof the opposite member, each member having a per1pheral boss adapted toreceive a pipe or rod and fitted to the curved periphery of the oppositemember, the member having the hemispherical portion being provided alsoon said hemispherical portion with a peripheral boss similar to theother bosses and disposed at right angles thereto and in the center ofsaid hemispherical portion, of means for pivotally connecting the twomembers on an axis extending centrally through the disk-like andhemispherical portions.

4. In a pipe or rod connector, the combination with two members eachhaving a Substantially hemispherical portion, of a third member having adisk-like portion, the flat sides of which rest respectively against theplane sides of the first two members, each member having a peripheralboss with a radial hole adapted to receive a pipe or rod and fitted tothe curved peripheries of the other two members, one of saidhemispherical portions having a boss similar to the other bosses anddisposed radially and centrally, and means for pivotally connecting thethree members on an axis which extends centrally through the disk likeand hemispherical portions.

5. In apipe or rod connector, tbe combination with two members, onehaving a substantially hollow hemispherical portion the plane side ofwhich is provided with a central cylindrical diametrical stud, the othermember having a disk like portion one fiat side of which rests againstthe plane side of the opposite member, the disk like portion having anannular fiange in which said stud is rotatively fitted, each memberhaving a peripheral boss having a radial hole adapted to receive a pipeor rod, of means for pivotally connecting said members concentricallywith said f* .-l.

In testimony where: have signed my name to this specification .lnpresence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALBERT F. MILLER.

Witnesses E. B. HOUSE, L. H. Domme.

